Korean Summer rehabilitation camp for children with CI

We are the Korean Cochlear Implant Users Association (KCIUA), a non-profit organization that represents cochlear implant users across South Korea.

One of our greatest strengths lies in the fact that our president is a cochlear implant user himself. After losing his hearing, undergoing surgery, and experiencing the rehabilitation journey first hand, he now leads our association with deep empathy and understanding of the lives and challenges faced by CI users. His experience allows us to focus more realistically on the issues users encounter and to create effective, user-centered welfare policies and support models.

(Richard CHOI, President of the Korean Cochlear Implant Users Association)

 

 

 

 

Our association collects and analyzes diverse user data to identify more effective rehabilitation methods and policy blind spots. Based on this, we pursue systematic, data-driven policies rooted in the real needs of users.

As part of this mission, we organized a very special event this summer.

“Wow! Our Summer of Sound” was a two-day rehabilitation camp designed for children with cochlear implants. Held in the beautiful natural setting of Cheongpung Lake, Jecheon, the program gave children the opportunity to listen, feel, and share the sounds of summer that they may not have experienced before.

More than a simple activity-based program, the camp offered a holistic rehabilitation experience. Children learned through sound, built friendships with peers, and grew confidence through arts, music, and play.

Most meaningfully, we followed the lives of a boy and a girl with cochlear implants, capturing their experiences and emotional journey through video storytelling. This content will soon be completed and shared with the world. We believe it will help raise awareness and deepen global understanding of the cochlear implant experience, especially from a child’s perspective.

We believe that rehabilitation is not only about hearing again—but about reconnecting with the world.

We hope that the children who joined us this summer will continue to grow and connect with CIICA and the global cochlear implant community.  We look forward to sharing the honest and heartfelt stories of Korean CI users—especially children—with CIICA and its partners around the world.

We invite you to join us on this journey, with your warm support and interest.

We believe the voices we’ve regained—and the stories we share—can change the world.

For inquiries, partnerships, or media contacts:

Richard CHOI, President

Korean Cochlear Implant Users Association | 📧 kciua00630@gmail.com | 🌐 www.kciua.co.kr

7 August 2025